Lightweight platform for a fire apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a ladder assembly having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the chassis and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a basket pivotably coupled to the distal end. The basket includes a subfloor assembly and a floor panel coupled to a top surface of the subfloor assembly and configured to support a user. The subfloor assembly includes a front member and a rear member each extending in a first direction, an inner member extending from the front member to the rear member, and an outer member having a first end portion coupled to the rear member and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The front member and the rear member are offset a distance from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The inner member extends substantially parallel to the outer member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/881,412, filed on Jan. 26, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/451,600, filed Jan. 27, 2017, bothof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates generally to the field of fireapparatuses. In particular, the present application relates to aerialfire apparatuses including ladder assemblies that support baskets. Fireapparatuses are commonly used in fire emergency situations to evacuatepeople from burning structures and to contain fires. Fire apparatusescommonly include telescoping ladder assemblies that rotate relative to abody of the fire apparatus and extend over long distances. Such ladderassemblies provide fire fighters with access to elevated areas or otherareas that cannot be easily reached on foot (e.g., a car trapped in aflooded area). Certain fire apparatuses are outfitted with a basketcoupled to a distal end of the ladder assembly. The basket provides astable platform on which the operators can stand with a minimal risk offalling. The basket also provides a surface that people evacuating astructure can easily access, even under the stresses of an emergencysituation.

Due to the cantilevered nature of telescoping ladder assemblies, theload that the ladder assembly can handle near its distal end is limited,especially when extending the ladder assembly over longer distances.This limited load capacity limits the amount of people and equipmentthat can be supported by the ladder assembly. Conventional baskets areheavy, and this weight further reduces the load capacity of the ladderassembly that can be used to support people and equipment. Accordingly,there is a need for a lightweight basket for a fire apparatus.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment relates to a fire apparatus including achassis, a ladder assembly having a proximal end pivotably coupled tothe chassis and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a basketpivotably coupled to the distal end of the ladder assembly. The basketincludes a subfloor assembly and a floor panel coupled to a top surfaceof the subfloor assembly and configured to support a user. The subfloorassembly includes a front member and a rear member each extending in afirst direction, an inner member extending from the front member to therear member, and an outer member having a first end portion coupled tothe rear member and a second end portion opposite the first end portion.The front member and the rear member are offset a distance from oneanother in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Theinner member extends substantially parallel to the outer member.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a fire apparatus including achassis, a ladder assembly having a proximal end pivotably coupled tothe chassis and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a basketpivotably coupled to the distal end of the ladder assembly. The basketincludes a subfloor assembly including a first inner member and a secondinner member each extending substantially parallel to one another in afirst direction, a floor panel coupled to a top surface of the subfloorassembly and configured to support a user, and a first upright memberand a second upright member each coupled to the subfloor assembly andextending above the floor panel. The inner members are offset from oneanother in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Theupright members are offset from one another in the second direction.

Yet another exemplary embodiment relates to a basket for a fireapparatus including a subfloor assembly and a floor panel coupled to atop surface of the subfloor assembly and configured to support a user.The subfloor assembly includes a front member extending laterally, arear member extending laterally and offset a distance rearward from thefront member, a pair of inner members each extending from the frontmember to the rear member, a pair of outer members each extendingforward from the rear member, and a pair of angled members. Each outermember has a first end portion coupled to the rear member and a secondend portion opposite the first end portion. Each angled member extendsfrom the second end portion of one of the outer members to the frontmember. The outer members are shorter than the distance between thefront member and the rear member such that the angled members eachextend at an angle relative to the front member.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried outin various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to otherfeatures and combinations of features as may be recited herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a tandem fire apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the tandem rear axle fireapparatus of FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a single rear axle fire apparatus, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a tiller fire apparatus, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a left side view of a fire apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a right side view of the fire apparatus of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a section of the fire apparatus of FIG.4A;

FIG. 5B is another exploded view of a section of the fire apparatus ofFIG. 4A;

FIG. 5C is another exploded view of a section of the fire apparatus ofFIG. 4A;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a waterway assembly and a waterway mountof the fire apparatus of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a section of the fire apparatus of FIG.4A;

FIG. 7B is another perspective view of a section of the fire apparatusof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7C is another perspective view of a section of the fire apparatusof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7D is another perspective view of a section of the fire apparatusof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7E is a top view of a section of the fire apparatus of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7F is a front view of the fire apparatus of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a basket of the fire apparatus of FIG.4A, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a basket of the fire apparatus of FIG. 4A,according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10A is an exploded view of a front door of a basket of the fireapparatus of FIG. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10B is an exploded view of a front door of a basket of the fireapparatus of FIG. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of various heat-resistant panels of a basketof the fire apparatus of FIG. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a control console of the fire apparatusof FIG. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13A is a front view of a fire apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 13B is a front view of a fire apparatus, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a fire apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the fire apparatus of FIG. 14A; and

FIG. 14C is another perspective view of the fire apparatus of FIG. 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-3, a fireapparatus or firefighting vehicle, shown as fire apparatus 10, includesa cab assembly, shown as front cabin 20, and a body assembly, shown asrear section 30, defining a longitudinal axis 14. In one embodiment, thelongitudinal axis 14 extends along a direction defined by a frame orchassis 16 of the fire apparatus 10 (e.g., front-to-back, etc.). Asshown in FIGS. 1A-4E, the front cabin 20 is positioned forward of therear section 30 (e.g., with respect to a forward direction of travel forthe fire apparatus 10 along the longitudinal axis 14, etc.). Accordingto an alternative embodiment, the front cabin 20 may be positionedbehind the rear section 30 (e.g., with respect to a forward direction oftravel for the fire apparatus 10 along the longitudinal axis 14, etc.).The front cabin 20 may be positioned behind the rear section 30 on, byway of example, a rear tiller fire apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fire apparatus 10 is configured as atandem rear axle fire apparatus. In this embodiment, the fire apparatus10 includes a first axle, shown as front axle 40, positioned along thefront cabin 20 and a pair of second axles, shown as rear axles 42,positioned along the rear section 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the fireapparatus 10 is configured as a single rear axle fire apparatus. In thisembodiment, the fire apparatus 10 has a front axle 40 positioned alongthe front cabin 20 and a single rear axle 42 positioned along the rearsection 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the fire apparatus 10 is configured as atiller fire apparatus. In this embodiment, the fire apparatus 10 has afront axle 40 positioned along the front cabin 20, a rear axle 42positioned along the rear section 30, and a third axle, shown asintermediate axle 44, positioned along the front cabin 20 between thefront axle 40 and the rear axle 42. In this embodiment, the rear section30 of the fire apparatus 10 is pivotably coupled to the front cabin 20(e.g., similar to a trailer, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 1A-3, the frontaxle 40, the rear axle(s) 42, and the intermediate axle 44 of the fireapparatus 10 include tractive assemblies, shown as wheel and tireassemblies 46, rotatably coupled to the chassis 16 and configured tosupport the fire apparatus 10 on the ground. In other embodiments, thefire apparatus 10 includes another type of tractive element (e.g., atrack, etc.). In some embodiments, the fire apparatus 10 is configuredas another type of fire apparatus (e.g., an aircraft rescue andfirefighting (“ARFF”) truck, etc.). In alternative embodiments, thevehicle is configured as a vehicle other than a fire apparatus. By wayof example, the vehicle may be mining equipment, construction equipment,farming equipment, an aerial truck, a rescue truck, a boom lift, and/orstill another vehicle (e.g., any type of vehicle that may include aladder assembly or boom assembly).

As shown in FIGS. 1A-3, the fire apparatus 10 includes a stabilizationsystem, shown as stabilization system 50. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,the stabilization system 50 of the fire apparatus 10 includes firststabilizers, shown as outriggers 52, positioned along the rear section30 between the front axle 40 and the rear axles 42, and secondstabilizers, shown as downriggers 54, positioned along the rear section30 rearward of the rear axles 42. In some embodiments, the downriggers54 of the fire apparatus 10 are replaced with a stability foot. As shownin FIG. 2, the stabilization system 50 of the fire apparatus 10 includesthe outriggers 52 positioned along the rear section 30 between the frontaxle 40 and the rear axle 42 and a third stabilizer, shown as stabilityfoot 56, positioned along the rear section 30 rearward of the rear axle42. In some embodiments, the stability foot 56 of the fire apparatus 10is replaced with the downriggers 54. As shown in FIG. 3, thestabilization system 50 of the fire apparatus 10 includes the outriggers52 positioned along the rear section 30 between the intermediate axle 44and the rear axle 42. In some embodiments, the fire apparatus 10additionally includes at least one of the downriggers 54 and thestability foot 56. In some embodiments, the fire apparatus 10additionally or alternatively includes the outriggers 52, thedownriggers 54, and/or the stability foot 56 positioned along the frontcabin 20 (e.g., forward of the front axle 40, rearward of the front axle40, etc.). In other embodiments, the stabilization system 50 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-3, the fire apparatus 10 includes a powertrainsystem, shown as powertrain 60. The powertrain 60 may include a primarydriver (e.g., an engine, a motor, etc.), an energy generation device(e.g., a generator, etc.), an energy storage device (e.g., a battery,capacitors, ultra-capacitors, etc.) electrically coupled to the energygeneration device, and/or a drivetrain (e.g., a transmission, a transfercase, a driveshaft, a differential, the front axle 40, the rear axle(s)42, the intermediate axle 44, etc.). The primary driver may receive fuel(e.g., gasoline, diesel, etc.) from a fuel tank and combust the fuel togenerate mechanical energy. A transmission may receive the mechanicalenergy and provide an output to the generator. The generator may beconfigured to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy that maybe stored by the energy storage device. The energy storage device mayprovide electrical energy to a motive driver to drive at least one ofthe front axle 40, the rear axle(s) 42, and the intermediate axle 44. Insome embodiments, the front axle 40, the rear axle(s) 42, and/or theintermediate axle 44 include an individual motive driver (e.g., a motorthat is electrically coupled to the energy storage device, etc.)configured to facilitate independently driving each of the wheel andtire assemblies 46. In some embodiments, a transmission of the fireapparatus 10 is rotationally coupled to the primary driver, a transfercase assembly, and one or more drive shafts. The one or more driveshafts may be received by one or more differentials configured to conveythe rotational energy of the drive shaft to a final drive (e.g.,half-shafts coupled to the wheel and tire assemblies 46, etc.). Thefinal drive may then propel or move the fire apparatus 10. In suchembodiments, the fire apparatus 10 may not include the generator and/orthe energy storage device. The powertrain 60 of the fire apparatus 10may thereby be a hybrid powertrain or a non-hybrid powertrain. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the primary driver is a compression-ignitioninternal combustion engine that utilizes diesel fuel. In alternativeembodiments, the primary driver is another type of device (e.g.,spark-ignition engine, fuel cell, electric motor, etc.) that isotherwise powered (e.g., with gasoline, compressed natural gas, propane,hydrogen, electricity, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 1A-3, the fire apparatus 10 includes a ladderassembly, shown as aerial ladder assembly 70. The aerial ladder assembly70 includes a ladder 72 and a turntable assembly, shown as turntable 74,coupled to a first end (e.g., base end, proximal end, pivot end, lowerend, etc.) of the ladder 72. A platform, shown as basket 200, is coupledto an opposing, second end (e.g., free end, distal end, platform end,implement end, water nozzle end, etc.) of the ladder 72. According to anexemplary embodiment, the ladder 72 includes a plurality of laddersections. In some embodiments, the plurality of sections of the ladder72 are extendable. An actuator may selectively reconfigure the ladder 72between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. By wayof example, the ladder 72 may include a plurality of nested sectionsthat telescope with respect to one another. In the extendedconfiguration (e.g., deployed position, use position, etc.), the ladder72 may be lengthened such that the basket 200 is extended away from thefire apparatus 10. In the retracted configuration (e.g., storageposition, transport position, etc.), the ladder 72 may be shortened suchthat the basket 200 is withdrawn towards the fire apparatus 10. In otherembodiments, the ladder 72 includes a single, fixed length laddersection. In an alternative embodiment, the fire apparatus 10 does notinclude the aerial ladder assembly 70, but may alternatively include aboom lift, crane assembly, or another type of moveable and/or extendableassembly. Accordingly, the ladder 72 may include a single lader section,multiple ladder sections configured to extend and retract relative toone another, one or more boom sections (e.g., structural members withoutsteps), or a combination thereof.

The turntable 74 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the chassis 16(e.g., with an intermediate superstructure, a torque box, through therear section 30, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, theturntable 74 is pivotably coupled to the rear section 30. In someembodiments, the turntable is rotatable a full 360 degrees. In someembodiments, the rotation of the turntable 74 is limited to a range ofless than 360 degrees (e.g., dependent on the stability of the fireapparatus 10, the operating parameters of the aerial ladder assembly 70,etc.). The turntable 74 may be coupled to an actuator positioned tofacilitate pivoting (e.g., rotating, turning, etc.) the turntable 74. Inone embodiment, the actuator is an electric motor (e.g., an alternatingcurrent (AC) motor, a direct current motor (DC), etc.) configured toconvert electrical energy into mechanical energy. In other embodiments,the actuator is powered by air (e.g., pneumatic, etc.), a fluid (e.g., ahydraulic cylinder, etc.), mechanically (e.g., a flywheel, etc.), oranother source. In other embodiments, the turntable 74 is fixed to therear section 30 (i.e., cannot rotate).

As shown in FIGS. 1A-2, the fire apparatus 10 includes the ladderassembly 70 in a rear mount configuration. In a rear mountconfiguration, the pedestal 74 is positioned rearward of the rear axles46. In other embodiments, the ladder assembly 70 is positioned in a midmount configuration. In a mid mount configuration, the pedestal 74 ispositioned between the front axle 40 and the rear axle 42. In FIG. 3,the fire apparatus 10 is a tiller configuration where the rear section30 is pivotable relative to the front cabin 20. In this configuration,the pedestal 74 is coupled to the rear section 30 near a front end ofthe rear section 30. In this configuration, the pedestal 74 may extenddirectly above the intermediate axle 44.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-2, the first end of the ladder 72 is pivotablycoupled to the turntable 74. Actuators, shown as cylinders 76 arepositioned to pivot the ladder 72 and/or the basket 200 about ahorizontal axis (e.g., a axis that extends through a pivotal jointbetween the ladder 72 and the turntable 74, etc.). The actuator may be alinear actuator, a rotary actuator, or still another type of device andmay be powered hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically, or stillotherwise powered. In one embodiment, the ladder 72 is pivotable betweena lowered position (e.g., the position shown in FIGS. 1A-3, etc.) and araised position. The ladder 72 may be generally horizontal or at arelatively shallow angle (e.g., 10 degrees, etc.) below or abovehorizontal when disposed in the lowered position (e.g., a storedposition, etc.). In one embodiment, extension and retraction of thecylinders 76 pivots the ladder 72 and the basket 200 about thehorizontal axis and raises or lowers, respectively, the second end ofladder 72 (e.g., the basket 200, etc.). In the raised position, theaerial ladder assembly 70 facilitates accessing an elevated height(e.g., for a fire fighter, a person being aided by the fire fighter,etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the aerial ladder assembly 70forms a cantilever structure when at least one of raised vertically andextended horizontally. The aerial ladder assembly 70 is supported by thecylinders 76 and by the turntable 74 at the first end. The aerial ladderassembly 70 supports static loading from its own weight, the weight ofany equipment coupled to the ladder 72 (e.g., the basket 200, the nozzle150, the conduit 152 coupled to the nozzle 150, etc.), and the weight ofany persons using the ladder 72 and/or the basket 200. The aerial ladderassembly 70 may also support various dynamic loads (e.g., forcesimparted by a fire fighter or other persons climbing the ladder 72; windloading; loading due to rotation, elevation, or extension of aerialladder assembly; the weight of persons in the basket 200; etc.). Suchstatic and dynamic loads are carried by the aerial ladder assembly 70.The forces carried by the cylinders 76, the turntable 74, and/or thechassis 16 may be proportional (e.g., directly proportional, etc.) tothe length of the ladder 72.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-5C, the basket 200 is coupled to the ladder 72through a mount, shown as mount assembly 100. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C,the mount assembly 100 includes a first set of side plates, shown asside plates 102, each side plate 102 having a first end coupled to theladder 72 and a second end coupled to the basket 200. The second end ofthe side plates 102 may be pivotably coupled to the basket 200 such thatthe basket 200 pivots about a horizontal axis 103 (e.g., an axis thatextends through a pivotal joint between the basket 200 and the sideplates 102, etc.). By pivotably coupling the basket 200 to the mountassembly 100, the basket 200 may be rotated relative to the mountassembly 100 in order to maintain a consistent vertical orientation ofthe basket 200 when the ladder 72 moves between the raised and loweredpositions. In some embodiments, the horizontal axis 103 about whichbasket 200 pivots is vertically offset below the ladder 72 when theladder 72 is in a horizontal configuration to facilitate passage of anoperator between the ladder 72 and the basket 200. Additionally, adistance between the side plates 102 may be adjusted to facilitatepassage of a user between the side plates 102.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the mount assembly 100 includes a set of pins,shown as pivot pins 104, about which the basket 200 is configured topivot. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pivot pins 104 arealigned with the horizontal axis 103 about which the basket 200 pivots.As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the mount assembly 100 further includes asecond set of side plates, shown as side plates 105. In some embodimentsthe side plates 105 are positioned parallel to the side plates 102 andare laterally offset a distance outside of the side plates 102.According to an exemplary embodiment, the side plates 102 and the sideplates 105 are configured to each support an end of the correspondingpivot pin 104. In some embodiments, each side plate 102 is integrallyformed with each side plate 105 as a single unitary body (e.g., formedfrom a single piece of sheet metal).

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the basket 200 is pivotably coupled to themount assembly 100 with one or more actuators, shown as cylinders 106.According to an exemplary embodiment, the cylinders 106 are positionedto pivot the basket 200 about the pivot pins 104. The actuators may belinear actuators, rotary actuators, or still other types of devices andmay be powered hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically, or stillotherwise powered. In one embodiment, extension and retraction of thecylinders 106 pivots the basket 200 about the horizontal axis 103. Thecylinders 106 are pivotably coupled to the basket 200 at a first end,and pivotably coupled to the mount assembly 100 at a second end oppositethe first end. The locations of the points at which the cylinders 106are coupled to the basket 200 and the mount assembly 100 may be selectedto optimize the mechanical advantage of the cylinders 106 on the basket200. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, each cylinder 106 extends directly betweenthe corresponding side plate 102 and the corresponding side plate 105.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the aerialladder assembly 70 further includes a nozzle (e.g., a deluge gun, awater cannon, a deck gun, a monitor, etc.), shown as nozzle 150. Asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the nozzle 150 may be connected to a source offire suppressant fluid (e.g., an onboard water tank, an external sourcesuch as a fire hydrant or tanker truck, etc.) through a pipe, hose, orconduit, shown as conduit 152. The conduit 152 may be configured totelescope or otherwise extend to accommodate extension of the ladder 72.As shown in FIGS. 5A-6, the conduit 152 extends along the aerial ladderassembly 70 (e.g., along the side of the aerial ladder assembly 70,beneath the aerial ladder assembly 70, in a channel provided in theaerial ladder assembly 70, etc.). By pivoting the aerial ladder assembly70 into the raised position, the nozzle 150 may be elevated tofacilitate expelling fire suppressant fluid (e.g., water, foam, etc.)from a higher elevation to suppress a fire. In some embodiments, theaerial ladder assembly 70 does not include the nozzle 150.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-6, a waterway, shown as waterway assembly 154, isstructurally and fluidly coupled between the conduit 152 and the nozzle150. Waterway assembly 154 may include a valve 156 (e.g., anelectrically actuated valve, a mechanically actuated valve, etc.)configured to control the flow of fluid to the nozzle 150. The waterwayassembly 154 is coupled to the mount assembly 100 by a mounting bracket,shown as waterway mount 158. In some embodiments, the waterway assembly154 is capable of sending 1500 gallons per minute of fluid to the nozzle150. In other embodiments, the waterway assembly 154 is capable ofsending more or less than 1500 gallons per minute to the nozzle 150. Insome embodiments, the waterway assembly 154 includes one or moreconduits (e.g., a conduit 160) to direct a portion of the flow of fluidalong a secondary flow path to another location (e.g., to a singlemonitor, to multiple monitors, to a shower nozzle, etc.). In someembodiments, the waterway assembly 154 is capable of sending 1250gallons per minute of fluid along the secondary flow path. In otherembodiments, the waterway assembly 154 is capable of sending more orless than 1250 gallons per minute along the secondary flow path. Asshown in FIGS. 5C and 6, a secondary flow path includes a conduit 160that directs fluid to a nozzle assembly, shown as shower nozzle 162,that is coupled to an underside of the basket 200. The shower nozzle 162may be configured to provide a spray of water to reduce the temperatureof the basket 200 when near a fire or other heat source. The showernozzle 162 may spray fluid directly onto the basket or may spray fluidbelow the basket 200. The waterway assembly 154 may direct approximately75 gallons per minute along the secondary flow path in thisconfiguration. In other embodiments, the waterway assembly 154 isomitted.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7F, a basket or platform is shown on the fireapparatus 10 as a basket 200. The basket 200 provides a platform fromwhich a fire fighter may complete various tasks (e.g., operate thenozzle 150, create ventilation in a structure, overhaul a burned area,perform a rescue operation, etc.). The basket 200 may be configured tohold users including at least one of fire fighters (i.e., operators) andpersons being aided by the fire fighters. In some embodiments, the rearend of the basket 200 is accessible through an opening (e.g., the thirdaccess opening 326) from the ladder 72 to facilitate access to thebasket 200 from the ground. In some embodiments, the front and/or sidesof the basket 200 are accessible through an opening (e.g., the firstaccess opening 322 or the second access opening 324) to facilitateaccessing a location remote from the chassis 16. The basket 200 mayinclude one or more walls, railings, and/or doors around a perimeter ofthe basket to support the fire fighters and prevent accidental egressfrom the basket 200. The basket 200 is defined herein using alongitudinal axis 202, a lateral axis 204, and a vertical axis 206. Thelongitudinal axis 202, the lateral axis 204, and the vertical axis 206are in a fixed orientation relative to the basket 200 regardless of theposition of the basket 200 relative to the ladder 72 or the chassis 16.

As shown in FIGS. 5C, 8, and 9, the basket 200 includes a subfloorassembly, shown as lower frame assembly 220. The lower frame assembly220 includes a set of lower side members, shown as outer members 222,each having a front end portion and a rear end portion, and a set oflower center members, shown as inner members 224, each having a frontend portion and a rear end portion. The outer members 222 and the innermembers 224 extend longitudinally (i.e., in a longitudinal direction)with respect to the basket 200 along the lower frame assembly 220.Accordingly, the outer members 222 and the inner members 224 may extendsubstantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, one or more of theouter members 222 and the inner members 224 may extend at an angle(i.e., not parallel or perpendicular) to one another. The outer members222 are laterally offset a first distance from one another, and theinner members 224 are laterally offset a second distance from oneanother, where the first distance is larger than the second distance.The inner members 224 extend directly between the outer members 222. Theinner members 224 are longer than the outer members 222.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower frame assembly 220 includes a lowerrear member, shown as rear member 226, disposed at a rear end portion ofthe lower frame assembly 220. The rear member 226 extends laterally(i.e., in a lateral direction) with respect to the basket 200 and has aleft end portion and a right end portion. The left end portion and theright end portion of the rear member 226 are directly coupled to therear end portions of each outer members 222, respectively. The rear endportions of the inner members 224 are coupled to the rear member 226between the left and right end portions of the rear member 226. Theinner member 224 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the rearmember 226. The outer members 222 and the inner members 224 extendlongitudinally forward from the rear member 226.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower frame assembly 220 further includesa set of lower angled members, shown as angled members 228, each havinga front end portion and a rear end portion. The rear end portions of theangled members 228 are directly coupled to the front end portions of theouter members 222. The angled members 228 extend at an angle from theouter members 222 longitudinally forward (i.e., away from the rearmember 226) and laterally inward (i.e., towards a longitudinalcenterline of the basket 200 that extends in a longitudinal direction).

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a lower front member, shown as front member230, is disposed at a front end of the lower frame assembly 220 andextending laterally. The front member 230 may or may not extendsubstantially parallel to the rear member 226. The front member 230 islongitudinally offset a distance from the rear member 226. This distanceis greater than the lengths of the outer members 222. The front member230 is directly coupled to the front end portion of each inner member224. The front member 230 may be directly or indirectly (e.g., throughthe inner members 224) coupled to the front end portion of each angledmember 228. The front member 230 has a width approximately equal to thedistance between the inner members 224. In other embodiments, the frontmember is wider than the distance between the inner members 224 andaccordingly is shorter than the rear member 226. In some embodiments,the angled members 228 are omitted, and the front member 230 extends tothe outer members 222. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the outer members 222,the inner members 224, the rear member 226, the angled members 228, andthe front member 230 are made from C-shaped channel. The outer members222, the inner members 224, the rear member 226, the angled members 228,and the front member 230 may be made with material having various crosssectional shapes (e.g., channel, square tube, round tube, etc.) anddimensions and from various materials (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum,etc.). For example, the outer members 222 shown as being made fromchannel of a first height, and the inner members 224 are shown as beingmade from channel with a second, larger height. The outer members 222,the inner members 224, the rear member 226, the angled members 228, andthe front member 230 may each be formed from multiple individual members(e.g., in the form of a truss).

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 7E, the basket 200 includes a work platform,shown as floor panel 240, coupled to a top surface of the lower frameassembly 220. Floor panel 240 provides a surface upon which users oroperators (e.g., fire fighters, rescue workers, etc.) may stand whileoperating the aerial ladder assembly 70. The floor panel 240 distributesthe weight of the users throughout the lower frame assembly 220,supporting the users. In some embodiments, the floor panel 240 is madefrom one continuous piece of material. In other embodiments, the floorpanel 240 is formed from a number of smaller sheets or panels. The floorpanel 240 may define various cutouts (e.g., apertures, slots, etc.)around other components of the basket 200. The floor panel 240 mayincorporate a surface that prevents the operator from slipping (e.g., asurface with raised perforations, a rubberized surface, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 8, the basket 200 further includes a pair of wallassemblies, shown as corner walls 260. There is one corner wall 260disposed on each side of the longitudinal centerline of the basket 200.As shown in FIG. 8, the corner walls 260 each include a first wall orlateral wall, shown as side wall 261. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, theside walls 261 each include a first vertical or upright member, shown asside upright member 262 and a second vertical or upright member, shownas middle upright member 264. The corner walls 260 each further includea rear wall 265. The rear wall 265 shares the middle upright member 264with the corresponding side wall 261 and further includes a thirdvertical or upright member, shown as rear upright member 266.Alternatively, each side wall 261 and each rear wall 265 may include aseparate middle upright member 264. In such an embodiment, there may bea space between each side wall 261 and the corresponding rear wall 265.

The side upright members 262, the middle upright members 264, and therear upright members 266 each extend vertically (i.e., in a verticaldirection) and include an upper end portion and a lower end portion. Theupper end portions are positioned above the floor panel, and the lowerend portions are positioned below the floor panel. The lower end portionof each side upright member 262 is directly coupled to the correspondingouter member 222 and the corresponding angled member 228. The sideupright members 262 are coupled to the lower frame assembly 220 near theintersections of the outer members 222 and the angled members 228. Thelower end portion of each middle upright member 264 is directly coupledto the corresponding outer member 222 and the rear member 226. Themiddle upright members 264 are coupled to the lower frame assembly 220near the intersections of the outer members 222 and the rear member 226.The lower end portion of each rear upright member 266 may be directly orindirectly coupled to the corresponding inner member 224 and the rearmember 226. The rear upright members 266 are coupled to the lower frameassembly 220 near the intersections between the rear member 226 and theinner members 224. The side upright members 262, the middle uprightmembers 264, and the rear upright members 266 each extend above thefloor panel 240.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rear upright members 266 and the middle uprightmembers 264 are longitudinally aligned (i.e., at the same longitudinalposition). By way of example, a lateral axis could extend through bothof the rear upright members 266 and both of the middle upright members264. The middle upright members 264 are each laterally aligned with(i.e., at the same longitudinal position as) one of the side uprightmembers 262. By way of example, a longitudinal line could extend throughone of the middle upright members 264 and one of the side uprightmembers 262. The inner members 224 are each laterally aligned with oneof the rear upright members 266. By way of example, the inner members224 are laterally offset a first distance from one another, the rearupright members 266 are laterally offset a second distance from oneanother, and the first distance and the second distance areapproximately equal.

In some embodiments, the side upright members 262, the middle uprightmembers 264, and/or the rear upright members 266 are coupled to a topsurface of the lower frame assembly 220. In other embodiments, anaperture (e.g. a hole or a slot) is defined in the top surface of thelower frame assembly 220, and the side upright members 262, the middleupright members 264, and/or the rear upright members 266 are coupled toa surface of the lower frame assembly 220 below the top surface (e.g.,an inside surface, a bottom surface, etc.). In yet other embodiments,the side upright members 262, the middle upright members 264, and/or therear upright members 266 are each coupled to one or more side surfacesof the lower frame assembly 220.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the side walls 261 each further include anupper longitudinal member, shown as upper side member 270, and a middlelongitudinal member, shown as middle side member 274. The upper sidemember 270 and the middle side member 274 each extend longitudinally andare substantially parallel to one another. The rear walls 265 eachinclude an upper lateral member, shown as upper rear member 272, and amiddle lateral member, shown as middle rear member 276. The upper rearmember 272 and the middle rear member 276 each extend laterally and aresubstantially parallel to one another. The upper side member 270 isdirectly coupled to the upper end portion of the side upright member 262and the upper end portion of the middle upright member 264. The upperrear member 272 is directly coupled to the upper end portion of themiddle upright member 264 and the upper end portion of the rear uprightmember 266. The middle side member 274 is directly coupled to the sideupright member 262 and the middle upright member 264 and located betweenthe lower frame assembly 220 and the upper side member 270. The middlerear member 276 is directly coupled to the middle upright member 264 andthe rear upright member 266 and located between the lower frame assembly220 and the upper rear member 272. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe upper side member 270, the upper rear member 272, the middle sidemember 274, and the middle rear member 276 are oriented generallyhorizontally. As shown in FIG. 8, the side upright member 262, themiddle upright member 264, the rear upright member 266, the upper sidemember 270, the upper rear member 272, the middle side member 274, andthe middle rear member 276 of each corner wall 260 form a corner wallframe 280.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the basket 200 includes rear supports, shown asrear supports 290. The rear supports 290 are coupled to each side of therear upright members 266 and oriented generally vertically. The rearsupports 290 each define an aperture configured to receive one of thepivot pins 104, thereby pivotably coupling the basket to the mountassembly 100. The rear supports 290 may incorporate and/or couple to abearing surface (e.g., a bushing, a bearing, etc.) that contacts thepivot pin 104 to better distribute the loading and mitigate wear. Theapertures defined by the rear supports 290 are positioned adjacent thelower end portion of the rear upright members 266. Accordingly, thehorizontal axis 103 about which the basket 200 rotates is positionedbelow the floor panel 240.

As shown in FIGS. 7F and 8, the basket 200 further includes one or morefront walls, shown as front wall 300. In some embodiments, the basket200 includes one front wall 300 disposed along the longitudinalcenterline of the basket 200. As shown in FIG. 8, the front wall 300includes a frame, shown as front wall frame 302. As shown in FIG. 8, thefront wall frame 302 includes a set of vertical or upright members,shown as front upright members 304, each including an upper end portionand a lower end portion. The upper end portion is positioned above thefloor panel 240 and the lower end portion is positioned below the floorpanel 240. The lower end portion of each front upright member 304 isdirectly or indirectly coupled to the front member 230, thecorresponding inner member 224, and the corresponding angled member 228.The front upright members 304 are coupled to the lower frame assembly220 proximate the intersections of the inner members 224, the angledmembers 228, and the front member 230. As shown in FIG. 8, the frontwall frame 302 further includes a first lateral member, shown as upperfront member 306, and a second lateral member, shown as middle frontmember 308. The upper front member 306 is directly coupled to the upperend portions of the front upright members 304. The middle front member308 is directly coupled to the front upright members 304 and locatedbetween the upper front member 306 and the lower frame assembly 220. Insome embodiments, one or both of the upper front member 306 and themiddle front member 308 are oriented generally horizontally.

Referring to FIGS. 7E and 8, the basket 200 defines an enclosed area orworking area 320 configured to contain one or more users. The workingarea 320 is a space defined above the floor panel 240 and between thecorner walls 260 and the front wall 300. The basket 200 further definesa number of access openings configured to facilitate a user enteringand/or exiting the working area 320 of the basket 200 from outside ofthe basket 200. A first access opening 322 is defined between one of theside walls 261 and the front wall 300, and a second access opening 324is defined between the other of the side walls 261 and the front wall300. Specifically, the first access opening 322 and the second accessopening 324 are defined between one of the front upright members 304 andthe nearest side upright member 262. Each front upright member 304 isoffset longitudinally forward and laterally inward from the nearest sideupright member 262. Accordingly, the first access opening 322 and thesecond access opening 324 are angled relative to the front wall 300 andthe side wall 261. A third access opening 326 is defined between therear walls 265. Specifically, the third access opening 326 is definedbetween the rear upright members 266. The rear upright members 266 arelongitudinally aligned such that the third access opening 326 extendslaterally.

As shown in FIGS. 7F, 10A, and 10B, the basket further includes a pairof front doors, shown as front doors 350. The front doors 350 facilitatethe operators entering or exiting the working area 320 of the basket 200through the first access opening 322 and the second access opening 324while selectively closing to prevent accidental egress from the basket200. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the front doors 350 include a frontdoor frame, shown as front door frame 352, the front door frame 352including a vertical or upright front door member, shown as verticalfront door member 354, an upper horizontal front door member, shown asupper front door member 356, a middle horizontal front door member,shown as middle front door member 358, and a lower horizontal front doormember, shown as lower front door member 360. The upper front doormember 356, the middle front door member 358, and the lower front doormember 360 are directly coupled to the vertical front door member 354.The upper front door member 356 is positioned near a top end of thevertical front door member 354. The lower front door member 360 ispositioned near a bottom end of the vertical front door member 354. Themiddle front door member 358 is positioned between the upper front doormember 356 and the lower front door member 360. In some embodiments, theupper front door member 356, the middle front door member 358, and thelower front door member 360 extend from the same side of the verticalfront door member 354 (e.g., in the same direction).

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, each front door 350 further includes ahinge 362 coupled to the front door frame 352. The hinge 362 pivotablycouples the front door frame 352 to the corresponding side wall 261. Inother embodiments, the hinge 362 pivotably couples the front door frame352 to the front wall 300. In some embodiments, the front door 350includes multiple hinges 362 to facilitate distributing the load on thefront door 350 to the rest of the basket 200. The hinge 362 facilitatesrotating the front door 350 about a vertical axis between a closedposition, shown in FIG. 7E, and an open position. In the closedposition, the front door 350 extends between the side wall 261 and thefront wall 300, preventing movement of a user through the correspondingfirst access opening 322 or second access opening 324. In the openposition, the front door 350 moves away from the side wall 261 or thefront wall 300, allowing movement of a user through the correspondingfirst access opening 322 or second access opening 324. In someembodiments, the front door 350 opens by rotating inward such that thefront door 350 extends within the working area 320 when in the openposition. In other embodiments, the front door 350 opens by rotatingoutward. In yet other embodiments, the hinge 362 is omitted and thefront door 350 instead includes a slide to facilitate the front door 350translating relative to the other component of the basket 200.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the front door 350 further includes alatch, shown as locking latch 364. The locking latch 364 is coupled tothe side of the front door frame 352 opposite the hinge 362. As shown,the locking latch 364 selectively couples the front door 350 to thefront wall 300. In other embodiments, the locking latch 364 selectivelycouples the front door 350 to the side wall 261. The locking latch 364may be received by another component of the basket 200. The lockinglatch 364 is configured to prevent the front door 350 from opening(e.g., rotating, sliding, etc.) when in a locked position and to allowthe front door 350 to move freely when in an unlocked position. Thelocking latch 364 is configured to move to the unlocked position inresponse to a user input (e.g., turning a knob, pressing a button,etc.). In some embodiments, when the front door 350 is closed (e.g., bythe operator pushing or pulling), the locking latch 364 automaticallymoves to the locked position to prevent the front door 350 from opening.

As shown in FIGS. 5C and 11, the corner walls 260 each further includerear panels, shown as rear heat-resistant panels 380, and side panels,shown as side heat-resistant panels 382. As shown in FIGS. 7F and 11,the front wall 300 includes front panels, shown as front heat-resistantpanels 384. As shown in FIGS. 7F, 10A, and 10B, the front doors 350 eachinclude front door panels, shown as heat-resistant front door panels386. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower frame assembly 220 includes bottompanels, shown as heat-resistant bottom panels 387, that extend along abottom side of the lower frame assembly 220. The heat-resistant panels380, 382, 384, 386, and 387 may be made from a heat-resistant material(e.g., an insulative material, a material that reflects thermal energy,etc.) to facilitate shielding the users in the working area 320 fromnearby heat sources (e.g., a burning building). Specifically, theheat-resistant panels 380, 382, 384, and 386 reduce a rate of heattransfer from a heat source positioned outside of the basket 200 intothe working area 320 relative to the basket 200 configured without theheat-resistant panels 380, 382, 384, 386, and 387. The heat-resistantpanels 380, 382, 384, 386, and 387 cover or partially cover openings inthe corner wall frames 280, the front wall frames 302, the front doorframe 352, and the lower frame assembly 220. As shown in FIG. 5C, thecorner wall frames 280, front wall frame 302, and front door frames 352each include one or more connectors, shown as gusset plates 388. Thegusset plates 388 may be coupled to other components of the corner wallframes 280, the front wall frame 302, the front door frames 352, and/orthe lower frame assembly 220. The gusset plates 388 facilitateattachment of the heat-resistant panels 380, 382, 384, and 386 to thecorner wall frames 280, front wall frame 302, front door frames 352,and/or the lower frame assembly 220. The heat-resistant bottom panels387 may be directly coupled to one or more members of the lower frameassembly 220. In some embodiments, two or more of the heat-resistantpanels are integrally formed as a single unitary body (e.g., are formedfrom a single piece of material)

As shown in FIG. 7C, the basket 200 further includes a door, shown asrear door 400, the rear door 400 including rear door members, shown asrear door members 402 and rear door handle, shown as rear door handle404. The rear door members 402 are pivotably coupled to one of the rearupright members 266. As shown in FIG. 7C, the rear door members 402 areeach received by an interface, shown as interface 406. The interfaces406 may be coupled to the rear upright member 266 opposite the rearupright member 266 that is coupled to rear door members 402. In someembodiments, the rear door handle 404 is pivotably coupled to each ofthe rear door members 402 to form a four bar mechanism that includes therear door members 402, the rear door handle 404, and the rear uprightmember 266. In some of these embodiments, the user may lift on the reardoor handle 404 to rotate the rear door 400 about a horizontal axis tofacilitate access to the basket 200 from the ladder 72. In otherembodiments the rear door 400 rotates about a vertical axis. As shown inFIG. 7B, the rear door member 402, the upper rear members 272, the upperside members 270, the upper front door members 356, and the upper frontmember 306 cooperate to form an upper rail, shown as upper rail 420.

In some embodiments, two or more components of the basket 200 areintegrally formed as a single unitary body (e.g., are formed from asingle piece of tube). By way of example, as shown in FIG. 9, the upperrear member 272, the upper side member 270, and the side upright member262 are formed from a single piece of bent tube. By way of anotherexample, as shown in FIG. 9, the middle rear member 276 and the middleside member 274 are formed from a single piece of bent tube. In otherembodiments, the rear heat-resistant panels 380 and the sideheat-resistant panels may be integrally formed such that the corner wallframe 280 is covered by a single heat-resistant panel. In someembodiments, one or more components of the basket 200 are omitted. Byway of example, the middle side member 274 and the middle rear member276 may be omitted. In some embodiments, one or more components of thebasket 200 shown as integrally formed may be separated into multiplesections. By way of example, the middle upright member 264 may be splitinto two separate sections. In some embodiments, various components ofthe basket 200 are made from steel having a 100,000 psi yield strength.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 7A, the basket 200 further includes anextension or platform, shown as platform extension 460, that extendsoutside of the perimeter defined by the outermost edge of the rear door400, the side walls 261, the front doors 350, and the front wall 300,and is supported by the lower frame assembly 220. The platform extension460 may facilitate egress from and entrance onto the basket 200 (e.g.,from a building). As shown in FIG. 7A, the platform extension 460 formsa cantilever structure. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 9, the platformextension 460 is supported by center platform supports, shown as centerplatform supports 462, by side platform supports, shown as side platformsupports 464, and by a platform support rail, shown as platform supportrail 466. A panel 468 is coupled to the platform support rail 466 anddefines a top surface of the platform extension 460. The side platformsupports 464 are coupled to the outer members 222 and extendlongitudinally forward. The side platform supports 464 extend from theouter members 222 to the platform support rail 466. The center platformsupports 462 are coupled to and extend longitudinally forward from thefront upright members 304 and the inner members 224 towards the platformsupport rail 466. The center platform supports 462 extend upward alongfront upright members 304 and downwards along the inner members 224 tobetter support the cantilever structure. The center platform supports462 and the side platform supports 464 are directly coupled to theplatform support rail 466. The panel 468 is positioned such that a topsurface of the panel 468 is substantially aligned with a top surface ofthe floor panel 240. In some embodiments, the floor panel 240 and thepanel 468 are integrally formed from a single member. As shown in FIG.7A, the panel 468 is positioned entirely between an outer surface of oneside wall 261 and an outer surface of the other side wall 261. Thisarrangement reduces the overall width of the basket 200 while stillfacilitating access through the first access opening 322 and the secondaccess opening 324.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 12, the floor panel 240 provides a surface uponwhich operators can stand and control the aerial ladder assembly 70 theusing an input/output (I/O) device, shown as a control console 500. Insome embodiments, the control console 500 is coupled to the front wall300. In other embodiments, the control console 500 is located elsewhereon the basket 200. The control console 500 is communicably coupled to acontrol system of the fire apparatus 10 such that information or signals(e.g., command signals, etc.) may be exchanged between the controlconsole 500 and other components of the fire apparatus 10 (e.g., theladder 72, the turntable 74, the waterway assembly 154, hydraulic pumps,etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the control console 500enables an operator (e.g., fire fighter, etc.) of the fire apparatus 10to control one or more components of the fire apparatus 10. By way ofexample, the control console 500 may include at least one of aninteractive display, a touchscreen device, one or more buttons (e.g., abutton configured to begin or cease water flow through the waterwayassembly 154, etc.), joysticks, switches, and voice command receiversconfigured to receive a command input from the operator. As shown inFIG. 12, the control console 500 includes a joystick 502 and anemergency stop button 504. An operator may use the joystick 502 tocontrol rotation of the turntable 74 relative to the chassis 16,rotation of the ladder 72 relative to the turntable 74, rotation of thebasket 200 relative to the ladder 72, and extension and/or retraction ofthe ladder 72 to bring the basket 200 to a desired position (e.g., tothe front, back, or side of fire apparatus 10, etc.). The emergency stopbutton 504 is configured to disable operation of the aerial ladderassembly 70 when pressed. In other embodiments, an operator may engage alever associated with the control console 500 to trigger the extensionor retraction of the plurality of sections of the aerial ladder assembly70. In yet another embodiment, an operator may use the control console500 to enable, disable, or direct various lights (e.g., lights locatedon the basket 200, etc.). In addition to the control console 500, thebasket 200 may include various manual controls. By way of example, asshown in FIGS. 5C and 6, the basket 200 includes an interface, shown ashandle 506, coupled to the shower nozzle 162. The handle 506 extendsthrough the floor panel 240 and into the working area 320 so as to beaccessible from inside the basket 200. When pulled, the handle 506 opensa valve within the shower nozzle 162 to initiate fluid flow through theshower nozzle 162.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-8, various components of the basket 200 are alignedwith one another such that each of the components extend with a commonplane. The components of each side wall 261 and the corresponding outermember 222 extend within a side plane of the basket 200. The componentsof both rear walls 265 and the rear member 226 extend within a backplane of the basket 200. The components of the front wall 300 and thefront member 230 extend within a front plane of the basket 200. With thefront doors 350 closed, the components of each front door 350 and thecorresponding angled member 228 extend within an angled plane of thebasket. The components of the lower frame assembly 220, the sideplatform supports 464, and the platform support rail extend within abottom plane of the basket 200. The floor panel 240 and the panel 468extend within a work surface plane of the basket 200.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show the basket 200 on the fire apparatus 10 in afully retracted position. In some embodiments, the basket 200 is broughtto the fully retracted position before driving the fire apparatus 10. Amaximum driving height dimension is defined between the upper rail 420and the ground when the basket 200 is in the fully retracted position.In some embodiments, the maximum driving height dimension isapproximately 12.5 feet. In other embodiments, the maximum drivingheight dimension is less than or greater than 12.5 feet.

FIG. 13A shows the basket 200 staffed with two operators 600 andsupporting a stokes basket 650, according to an exemplary embodiment.The stokes basket 650 is a piece of equipment used to transport aninjured or otherwise disabled individual. In some embodiments, the upperrail 420 of the basket 200 is arranged such that the stokes basket 650or another piece of equipment can be supported on the upper rail 420 ata minimum of two points. The upper rail 420 may have a uniform heightrelative to the floor panel 240 to facilitate holding the stokes basket650 or other equipment level across the upper rail 420. In someembodiments, the working area 320 is large enough that the stokes basket650 can be supported by the upper rail 420 with two operators standingin the working area 320. Without the stokes basket 650, the working area320 is large enough for three operators. In some embodiments, theworking area 320 is approximately 14 square feet. In other embodiments,the working area 320 is less than or greater than 14 square feet. Insome embodiments, the dimensions of the basket 200 fit within certainguidelines and/or requirements (e.g., the requirements set by theNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA)).

FIGS. 14A-14C show a comparison of the basket 200 and another platformor basket 700. In some embodiments, an overall width of the basket 200is smaller than an overall width of the other basket 700. In someembodiments, an overall depth of the basket 200 is smaller than anoverall depth of the basket 700. The specific arrangement of the basket200 outlined herein may facilitate the basket 200 supporting a larger orsimilar load to the basket 700 while remaining smaller and/or lighterthan the basket 700. This reduction in size and/or weight may increasethe capability of the fire apparatus 10 when compared to a fireapparatus incorporating the basket 700. In some embodiments, the fireapparatus 10 has a 110 foot vertical extension height and a 90 foothorizontal reach. In some embodiments, the vertical extension height ofthe fire apparatus 10 greater than or less than 110 feet. In someembodiments, the horizontal reach of the fire apparatus 10 is greaterthan or less than 90 feet. In some embodiments, the fire apparatus 10can achieve the vertical extension height and the horizontal reach underone or more of the following conditions: with a 750 pound load in thebasket 200; with a 500 pound load in the basket 200 while spraying waterfrom the nozzle 150; while experiencing a 35 mile per hour wind; whilecoated in ¼″ of ice. In some embodiments, the fire apparatus 10 canachieve the vertical extension height and the horizontal reach under oneor more of the following conditions: with a greater than or less than750 pound load in the basket 200; with a greater than or less than 500pound load in the basket 200 while spraying water from the nozzle 150;while experiencing a greater than or less than 35 mile per hour wind;while coated in more or less than ¼″ of ice. In some embodiments, thecapacity of the fire apparatus 10 fits within certain guidelines and/orrequirements (e.g., the requirements set by the NFPA).

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the terms “exemplary” and “example” as usedherein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that suchembodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrationsof possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote thatsuch embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g.,removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers or the two members and any additional intermediate members beingintegrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe theorientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted thatthe orientation of various elements may differ according to otherexemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to beencompassed by the present disclosure.

Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in itsexclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list ofelements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in thelist. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, andZ,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood withthe context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., anycombination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is notgenerally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at leastone of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present,unless otherwise indicated.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thesystems as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only.Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosurewill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/orassemblies of the components described herein may be constructed fromany of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength ordurability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, andcombinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present inventions. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the presentdisclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire apparatus, comprising: a chassis; a ladderassembly having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the chassis and adistal end opposite the proximal end; and a basket pivotably coupled tothe distal end of the ladder assembly, the basket comprising: a subfloorassembly, comprising: a front member extending in a first direction; arear member extending in the first direction, wherein the front memberand the rear member are offset a distance from one another in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction; an inner memberextending from the front member to the rear member; and an outer memberhaving a first end portion coupled to the rear member and a second endportion opposite the first end portion; and a floor panel coupled to atop surface of the subfloor assembly and configured to support a user,wherein the inner member extends substantially parallel to the outermember.
 2. The fire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the subfloor assemblyfurther comprises an angled member extending from the second end portionof the outer member to the front member, wherein the outer member isshorter than the distance between the front member and the rear membersuch that the angled member extends at an angle relative to the frontmember, and wherein a top surface of the angled member is coplanar witha top surface of at least one of (a) the front member, (b) the rearmember, (c) the inner member, or (d) the outer member.
 3. The fireapparatus of claim 2, wherein the basket further comprises: a frontupright member directly coupled to at least one of the front member andthe angled member and extending above the floor panel; and a sideupright member directly coupled to at least one of the outer member andthe angled member and extending above the floor panel; wherein the sideupright member and the front upright member are offset from one anotherin both the first direction and the second direction, and wherein theside upright member and the front upright member define an accessopening therebetween configured to facilitate the user exiting orentering the basket.
 4. The fire apparatus of claim 3, wherein thebasket further comprises: a middle upright member directly coupled to atleast one of the outer member and the rear member and extending abovethe floor panel; and a rear upright member directly coupled to at leastone of the rear member and the inner member and extending above thefloor panel; wherein the rear upright member and the middle uprightmember are disposed within a first common plane extending in the firstdirection, and wherein the side upright member and the middle uprightmember are disposed within a second common plane extending in the seconddirection.
 5. The fire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the basket furtherincludes a front wall, a pair of rear walls, a first side wall, and asecond side wall, each of said walls coupled to the subfloor assemblyand extending above the floor panel, wherein the walls define anenclosed area of the basket therebetween; wherein the front wall and thefirst side wall define a first access opening therebetween, wherein thefront wall and the second side wall define a second access openingtherebetween, and wherein the rear walls define a third access openingtherebetween, each of the access openings configured to facilitateaccess to the enclosed area from outside of the basket; wherein thefirst side wall and the second side wall are both offset from the frontwall in the second direction, wherein the front wall and the first sidewall are offset from one another in the first direction, and wherein thefront wall and the second side wall are offset from one another in thefirst direction, such that the first access opening and the secondaccess opening are angled relative to the front wall.
 6. The fireapparatus of claim 5, wherein the basket further includes a first doorpivotably coupled to the first side wall and a second door pivotablycoupled to the second side wall, wherein the first door and the seconddoor are each configured to move between an open position and a closedpositon to selectively prevent movement through the first access openingand the second access opening, respectively, and wherein the first doorand the second door are configured to extend within the enclosed areawhen in their respective open positions.
 7. The fire apparatus of claim6, wherein the front wall, the rear walls, the first side wall, thesecond side wall, the first door, and the second door each includeheat-resistant panels configured to reduce a rate of heat transfer intothe enclosed area from a heat source positioned away from the basket. 8.The fire apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a platform coupled tothe subfloor assembly and having a top surface substantially alignedwith a top surface of the floor panel, wherein the platform extendsadjacent the first access opening on a side of the first access openingthat is opposite the enclosed area, and wherein the platform ispositioned entirely between an outer surface of the first side wall andan outer surface of the second side wall.
 9. The fire apparatus of claim1, wherein the basket further comprises a pair of upright members eachcoupled to the subfloor assembly, wherein the upright members extendbelow the floor panel, and wherein the ladder assembly is pivotablycoupled to each upright member such that the basket is configured torotate relative to the ladder assembly about an axis of rotationpositioned below the floor panel.
 10. A fire apparatus, comprising: achassis; a ladder assembly having a proximal end pivotably coupled tothe chassis and a distal end opposite the proximal end; and a basketpivotably coupled to the distal end of the ladder assembly, the basketcomprising: a subfloor assembly including a first inner member and asecond inner member each extending substantially parallel to one anotherin a first direction, wherein the inner members are offset from oneanother in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; afloor panel coupled to a top surface of the subfloor assembly andconfigured to support a user; and a first upright member and a secondupright member each coupled to the subfloor assembly and extending abovethe floor panel, wherein the upright members are offset from one anotherin the second direction.
 11. The fire apparatus of claim 10, wherein theupright members extend below the floor panel, and wherein the ladderassembly is pivotably coupled to each upright member such that thebasket is configured to rotate relative to the ladder assembly about anaxis of rotation positioned below the floor panel.
 12. The fireapparatus of claim 10, wherein each upright member forms a portion ofone of a pair of rear walls, wherein the basket further includes a frontwall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each of said wallscoupled to the subfloor assembly and extending above the floor panel,wherein the walls define an enclosed area of the basket therebetween;wherein the front wall and the first side wall define a first accessopening therebetween, wherein the front wall and the second side walldefine a second access opening therebetween, and wherein the rear wallsdefine a third access opening therebetween, each of the access openingsconfigured to facilitate access to the enclosed area from outside of thebasket; wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are offsetfrom the front wall in the first direction, wherein the first side walland the front wall are offset from one another in the second direction,and wherein the second side wall and the front wall are offset from oneanother in the second direction, such that the first access opening andthe second access opening are angled relative to the front wall.
 13. Thefire apparatus of claim 12, wherein the basket further includes a firstdoor pivotably coupled to the first side wall and a second doorpivotably coupled to the second side wall, wherein the first door andthe second door are each configured to move between an open position anda closed positon to selectively prevent movement through the firstaccess opening and the second access opening, respectively, and whereinthe first door and the second door are configured to extend within theenclosed area when in their respective open positions.
 14. The fireapparatus of claim 13, wherein the front wall, the rear walls, the firstside wall, the second side wall, the first door, and the second dooreach include heat-resistant panels configured to reduce a rate of heattransfer into the enclosed area from a heat source positioned away fromthe basket.
 15. The fire apparatus of claim 12, further comprising aplatform coupled to the subfloor assembly and having a top surfacesubstantially aligned with a top surface of the floor panel, wherein theplatform extends adjacent the first access opening on a side of thefirst access opening that is opposite the enclosed area, and wherein theplatform is positioned entirely between an outer surface of the firstside wall and an outer surface of the second side wall.
 16. The fireapparatus of claim 10, wherein the ladder assembly is configured toextend and retract, and wherein the ladder assembly has a verticalextension height of at least 110 feet and at a horizontal reach of atleast 90 feet when the basket supports a 750 pound load.
 17. A basketfor a fire apparatus, the basket comprising: a subfloor assembly,comprising: a front member extending laterally; a rear member extendinglaterally and offset a distance rearward from the front member; a pairof inner members each extending from the front member to the rearmember; a pair of outer members each extending forward from the rearmember, each outer member having a first end portion coupled to the rearmember and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; and apair of angled members, each angled member extending from the second endportion of one of the outer members to the front member; and a floorpanel coupled to a top surface of the subfloor assembly and configuredto support a user; wherein the outer members are shorter than thedistance between the front member and the rear member such that theangled members each extend at an angle relative to the front member. 18.The basket of claim 17, wherein the outer members and the inner membersall extend substantially parallel to one another.
 19. The basket ofclaim 17, further comprising: a first front upright member and a secondfront upright member each directly coupled to at least one of (a) thefront member and (b) one of the angled members and extending above thefloor panel; and a first side upright member and a second side uprightmember each directly coupled to at least one of (a) one of the outermembers and (b) one of the angled members and extending above the floorpanel; wherein the first side upright member and the first front uprightmember are offset from one another both laterally and longitudinally,and wherein the first side upright member and the first front uprightmember define a first access opening therebetween configured tofacilitate the user exiting or entering the basket; and wherein thesecond side upright member and the second front upright member areoffset from one another both laterally and longitudinally, and whereinthe second side upright member and the second front upright memberdefine a second access opening therebetween configured to facilitate theuser exiting or entering the basket.
 20. The basket of claim 19, furthercomprising: a first middle upright member and a second middle uprightmember each directly coupled to at least one of (a) one of the outermembers and (b) the rear member and extending above the floor panel; anda first rear upright member and a second rear upright member eachdirectly coupled to at least one of (a) the rear member and (b) one ofthe inner members and extending above the floor panel; wherein the firstside upright member and the first middle upright member are disposedwithin a first common plane extending longitudinally; wherein the secondside upright member and the second middle upright member are disposedwithin a second common plane extending longitudinally; and wherein thefirst rear upright member, the first middle upright member, the secondrear upright member, and the second middle upright member are disposedwithin a third common plane extending laterally.